Dec 29, 2010
The USDA remains committed to helping farmers, ranchers and forest landowners improve conservation practices in several ways.
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide $15 million in grant funds and other assistance aimed at adopting approaches designed to help landowners reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration.
- Funds will also be available to support producers transitioning into selected conservation practices
- The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will be providing information associated with carbon storage activities to those enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program.
- The USDA’s Climate Change Science Plan is designed to “incorporate management of the challenges created by climate change into the scientific missions of USDA. It provides a guide for the Department on scientific priorities to better serve USDA stakeholders by providing them with information about the impact of climate change and it outlines options to mitigate emissions and help producers adapt to expected change.”
- Federal funding has been provided to institutions in seven states for research projects designed to identify additional cost-effective ways farmers can reduce emissions as well as designing incentives for participation in greenhouse gas markets.
- Over the last year the U.S. Forest Service has taken multiple steps to “integrate climate change considerations into day-to-day operations.” And minimize future climate change impacts.
Additional information about these programs can be found here .